The Super Handyman

Label Those Cords To Make Repairs Easier

by Al Carrell and Kelly Carrell

There you are, under your desk, preparing to unplug the printer so you can take it in to be serviced. Unfortunately, there are seven other devices plugged into your surge protector, and if you unplug the wrong thing, you could shut down the wrong device. It’s smart to take the time to mark these devices on the cord by the plug so that you will know what’s what when you find yourself in this situation. You can use masking tape and a pen to do it. It’s a super smart thing to do and will keep you from creating problems during the process of fixing another issue.

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Dear Carrells: I used to smoke, and kept a bucket of sand on my workbench for the butts. I started using it for screwdrivers and found it to be the perfect way to store them. All of my screwdrivers have the size and type noted on the handle, so I can easily grab the one I need when I’m working on a project. Well, maybe some good came out of that stupid chapter in my life! – E.P.

Dear Al: I have older glass sliding shower doors in all of my bathrooms. They still work great and are much better than shower curtains, in my opinion. I gave them an upgrade by adding plastic dividers made for windows. These are supposed to make plain glass windows into divided window panes. I just cut them to fit my shower doors and glued them in place. They really look neat, and I get a lot of very positive comments on them. – H.D.

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Q: I bought a set of horseshoes at a garage sale and I can’t wait to show them off at our family reunion. Do you know the proper way to set them up? – N.S.

A: It’s been a while since we’ve played that game. The only rule we know is that the stakes are supposed to be placed 40 feet apart. We did find a website that you can go to to find out everything else you need to know, including the rules and scoring guidelines. Go to www.horseshoepitching.com. If you’re as “good” as we are, you also might need a helmet!

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A Tip From the Super HandyMom – One thing that really dates a house are the metal finishes on towel rods, doorknobs and other things like that. You can paint these finishes with new paints that look like brushed nickel or dark brass. You even can do chandeliers. Just check your paint store for these special metal finishes. Your home will look like it’s just been renovated.

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SHOPTALK – Barrel Bolt Locks, which are sliding bolt locks, can be used on just about any door, anywhere. They work great and have proven to be secure for many years. In fact, they’re one of the oldest locking systems ever used. One of the few problems that we hear about is how to deal with a shifted door or frame. AjustLock has reinvented this type of lock so that it can overcome this problem. They come in a variety of sizes and finishes to match your existing hardware. They have AjustLocks for doors, windows, gates and even cabinets, and at a really good price. You can find out more, including a brief instructional video, on the website at www.ajustlock.com.

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Got a question or a handy tip? Visit our website at www.thesuperhandyman.com. Those of general interest will be used in future columns.